International football tournaments have been coming thick and fast in recent months, with both Euro 2024 and 2024 Copa America concluding in the past week, and now preparations for the upcoming Olympics Tournament are underway.
The Nigerian team are set to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics Women’s tournament after they beat South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the fourth-round qualification tie, sealing their return to the Olympic stage after a 16-year absence and making a record-breaking fourth appearance, the most of any African nation.
The Super Falcons have been placed in arguably the toughest group in the tournament, facing up against three powerhouse nations in Spain, Japan and Brazil, who are all ranked in the top ten of the FIFA Women’s World rankings, in Group C.
Nigeria will fancy themselves to make it out of the group though, especially after a fantastic performance in the 2023 World Cup where they were narrowly beaten by finalists England in the round of 16. Talismanic striker Asisat Oshoala, alongside a host of other talented stars, will give the Super Falcons a fighting chance against any side in the tournament, and they will be looking to match the iconic feats of the men’s gold-medal-winning team in 1996.
The Super Falcons do still have extremely unfavourable odds to win Group C though, coming in at 21.00 with Bet9ja. In contrast, Spain are at 1.40, Japan at 5.50 and Brazil at 6.00.
Nigeria vs Brazil
Thursday 25 July, 18:00
The first game for Nigeria will see them take on the iconic football nation of Brazil, who have the incredibly talented Marta, widely considered as the greatest women’s player in history, in their ranks as she prepares to participate in her sixth Olympics.
While Brazil may not be as strong as they once were as a nation, failing to even make it out of their group in the 2023 World Cup as they placed in third, behind France and Jamaica, they are still strong favourites to pick up a victory against the Super Falcons here.
Nigeria will be coming into the tournament understanding that they are the underdogs to make it out of Group C though, and they may fancy themselves to take crucial points away from Marta’s side in this game.
With stars such as the previously mentioned Oshoala alongside Rasheedat Ajibade leading the line and Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, Nigeria have some of the best talent across women’s football, and we believe they will manage to pull off a surprise victory in this one.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing):
Nigeria win: 5.70, Draw: 4.00, Brazil win: 1.56
Nigeria to win Group C, 21.00
Nigeria to win the Olympic tournament, 67.00
